Mexico : Travel Health
WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!
Researching Travel Plans
Please note that this health information about Mexico may be out-of-date.
Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit
prior to departure.
Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Mexico
The following medical diseases or health concerns
are more common in travel to Mexico
(compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):
More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Mexico
The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Mexico
compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:
- motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
- Cardiopulmonary disease exacerbated by chroninc air pollution
Epidemics for Mexico
The following health concerns, diseases or comments are related to epidemics in Mexico:
Less Common Diseases and Health Concerns for Mexico
The following health concerns or medical diseases are less commonly found in Mexico
compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:
- plague - risk for travelers is small
- Coccidioidomycosis / Valley fever - only if involved in soil disturbing activities e.g. construction, mining, agriculture etc
Uncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Mexico
These medical diseases or health concerns are uncommon or rare in Mexico:
- hepatitis B - no real threat to international travelers
Vaccinations for Travel to Mexico
The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Mexico
to prevent contagious diseases in Mexico:
- hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
- hepatitis B - if risk of exposure to blood/bodily fluid or medical treatment or if your stay will be longer than 6 months then all infants and children 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants
- rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
- typhoid
- tetanus - booster dose as needed
- diphtheria - booster dose as needed
- measles - booster dose as needed
Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Mexico
Any health risk of travel to Mexico may be reduced by the
following precautionary health measures when visiting Mexico:
- Take your malaria prevention medication before/during/after travel as directed
- high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
- mosquito bite prevention
- insect bite protection
- avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
- eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
- keep feet clean and dry - help prevent parasitic infections
- do not go barefoot - help prevent parasitic infections
- always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
- don't eat food purchased from street vendors
- don't drink beverages with ice
- don't share needles with anyone
- don't handle animals (especially monkeys/dogs/cats) - to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
- don't swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer
- hurricane season is between June and November - take care and heed local precautions
- Earthquakes may occur - take care and heed local precautions
- volcanic eruptions may occur - take care and heed local precautions
- don't swim on beaches when black flags are flying
Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Mexico
The following may be issues relevant to travel to Mexico:
- adequate medical care is available in major cities at the standard of industrialized countries, facilities outside this area are substandard
- travelers carrying antiretrovirals will be detained at customs
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